CIL Notes: Building Community Partnerships
Someone who knows you is less likely to slash your budget.
–Kathy Dempsey
Kathy Dempsey of library marketing blog The M Word provided a breathless list of ways libraries can connect with various stakeholders within the community. There was a noted lack of computers discussed in this talk, but I think the principles can easily be applied to the online world.
Key principles: Ask anyone and everyone. Keep your name out there. Hustle. Hustle. Hustle.
I think it’s pretty straightforward. Of course, actually summoning the gusto to make it happen is a different matter entirely. But that’s my own ongoing struggle.
Raw notes (naturally) after the jump.
Building Community Partnerships
25 ideas in 40 minutes
Kathy Dempsey
Libraries Are Essential
The M Word blog
Notes are in the handout packet
Partnerships can help keep you solvent.
Chamber of Commerce/Speakers Bureau
“Someone who knows you is less likely to slash your budget”
Storytimes in grocery stores (!)
Target support staff of major stakeholders – be their best friends, and the support will trickle up.
Flower shops – be their friends, place bouquets in library in exchange for publicity
(what other venues can you use for this purpose)
IT experts
Professors
Community people for programming
Scout troops – work for badges
gardens, bookshelves
game stores, skateboard shops (what can you trade for?)
Cheaper stuff, street cred
Existing clubs (see Meetup, other sites)
Create local happenings in between big conferences – keep it specific to immediate needs
Major orgs (AARP, for example) – get them to provide visibility in exchange for recognition
Ask. Ask. Ask. Everyone, everywhere, everything.
Senior centers – what can you get in return?
Book sponsors
Guest bloggers
Microdonations
Advisory boards – transparency, once again is key
DLK’s guide to facebook
It’s not “if you build it, they will come” – the it has to be the connection, not the platform.
Lack of context outside of the bubble – tell them what seems most obvious to you
Build, exploit, continue connections. Remember Jamie LaRue’s pyramid of support.
Don’t be afraid to have fun
“There are more PLs than there are McDonald’s.” Really?
Hustle. Hustle. Hustle.